Pharmacy Technician Salary in Arvada, CO: $53,906 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time pharmacy technician in Arvada, CO earns a median $53,906/year (≈ $25.92/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2052). Once you factor in Arvada's price level (5% above national, BEA RPP 105.0), that paycheck buys what $51,339 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.4% above the Colorado state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, pharmacy technicians in Arvada, Colorado, can expect a median annual salary of $53,906, which marks an impressive 11.75% increase over the national median of $48,239. The salary range for this occupation locally spans from $43,540 at the 10th percentile to $70,848 at the 90th percentile, illustrating a strong pay gradient influenced by the work setting. Those involved in hospital sterile compounding or specialty pharmacy roles typically earn higher wages compared to their retail counterparts. Given the insights derived from BLS state-level data and regional price adjustments, this salary data not only highlights current market trends but also reflects the growing demand for qualified pharmacy technicians in Arvada, which is essential as healthcare continues to evolve.
About the Arvada Market
Salary estimated from Colorado average ($44,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $43,540 | $20.93 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $45,222 | $21.74 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $53,906 | $25.92 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $58,237 | $27.99 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $70,848 | $34.06 |
Median Salary Position
11.75% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Arvada
In Arvada, CO, the pharmacy technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $27,308 (2026 est.). At $53,906, the local median is 11.75% above the national median of $48,239.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Arvada: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Arvada Pharmacy Technician Pay Compares
Arvada median: $53,906/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Arvada Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Colorado Average | $52,643 | +2.40% more |
| National Average | $48,239 | +11.75% more |
Pharmacy Technicians in Arvada, CO earn a median of $53,906 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.75% higher than the national median of $48,239 and 2.40% above the Colorado state average of $52,643.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Arvada has a cost of living 5.00% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Arvada, CO has a cost-of-living index of 105 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $53,906 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $51,339 — a 4.76% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$37,939
2025 BLS Actual
$51,125
2026 Current Est.
$53,906
2019–2027 Growth
+49.8%
Salary Trajectory for Pharmacy Technicians in Arvada (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.44% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $37,939 | Actual |
| 2020 | $39,224 | Actual |
| 2021 | $41,056 | Actual |
| 2022 | $42,230 | Actual |
| 2023 | $45,035 | Actual |
| 2024 | $47,306 | Actual |
| 2025 | $51,125 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $53,906 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $56,839 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Arvada metropolitan area, the median pharmacy technician salary grew 34.8% from $37,939 (2019) to $51,125 (2025). At a 5.44% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $56,839 by 2027 — a total increase of $18,900 (49.82%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Arvada metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 5.44% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $43,540 – $45,222 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $45,222 – $53,906 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $53,906 – $58,237 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $58,237 – $70,848 |
CPhT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual pharmacy technician compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Pharmacy Technician Job Market in Arvada
The job market for pharmacy technicians in Arvada, with 31 local professionals currently employed, remains robust despite a rising cost of living index of 105, indicating that purchasing power may be a consideration for job seekers. Major employers in the region include retail pharmacy chains like CVS and Walgreens, but higher salaries are often found in hospital settings, particularly for technicians certified in CSPT and those working in sterile compounding environments, where specialized skills such as USP <797> compliance become critically necessary. The salary variance is driven by several factors, including the work setting, the certification stipends, shift differentials, and lead pay roles. For aspiring pharmacy technicians, obtaining relevant certifications and seeking employment in higher-paying settings—such as inpatient pharmacies or specialty compounding—can lead to significantly better compensation in this growing field in Arvada, CO.
More salary data for Arvada, CO:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Written by Emily Tran, PharmD
Career Analyst
Emily Tran has over 8 years of experience as a pharmacy technician. She specializes in medication therapy management. Her experience includes working in community pharmacies.
Methodology & Data Source
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $51,125 for pharmacy techniciansin the Arvada metropolitan area. A 5.44% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Arvada is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.44%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for pharmacy technicians (SOC 29-2052).
Compiled and verified by Emily Tran, PharmD, a licensed pharmacy technician with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov